Electrical connectors and attachments

ABSTRACT

A conductor tape according to this disclosure comprises a first insulator layer having an adhesive for attaching the insulator to a wall surface. Conductors are attached to the opposite surface of said first insulation layer, and a second insulation layer overlaps the conductors. A metallic layer, such as a steel ribbon, is disposed over the second insulation layer. Spacers may be provided at regular intervals along the length of the tape to separate the conductors from the first insulator layer so that a connector lip of an electrical attachment may be wedged between the first insulator layer and the conductors to make electrical contact with the conductors to supply the attachment with electrical energy.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Robert A. Morrison La Canada. Calif.[21] Appl. No. 877,274 [22] Filed Nov. 17, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11,1972 [73] Assignee Aerojet-General Corporation El Monte, Calif.

[ 54] ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND ATTACHMENTS 13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 339/21R, 174/117 F, 339/17 F [51] 1nt.Cl H01r9/00, H02g 3/00[50] Field of Search 339/17, 18, 19,20, 21,22,176; 174/117,70,117.1117.6, 68.5; 317/101 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS2,437,579 3/1948 Wi1son 339/21 R 2,964,587 12/1960 Minot 174/1173,166,370 H1965 Pnrkcr 319/21 R FOREIGN PATENTS 1,319,821 H1963 France174/1176 1,322,037 2/1963 France 339/17 F Primary Examiner-Marvin A.Champion Assistant ExaminerTerre1l P. Lewis Anorneys- Edward O. Ansell,Arthur Decker and D. Gordon Angus ABSTRACT: A conductor tape accordingto this disclosure comprises a first insulator layer having an adhesivefor attaching the insulator to a wall surface. Conductors are attachedto the opposite surface otsaid first insulation layer, and a secondinsulation layer overlaps the conductors. A metallic layer, such as asteel ribbon, is disposed over the second insulation layer. Spacers maybe provided at regular intervals along the length of the tape toseparate the conductors from the first insulator layer so that aconnector lip of an electrical attachment may be wedged between thefirst insulator layer and the conductors to make electrical contact withthe conductors to supply the attachment with electrical energy.

PATENTEI] mu 1 19. 2

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. EOBEETA/V/OEE/SO/V (not shown) are inserted inapertures 28, they will make contact with conductors 29 and 30.Conductors 29 and 30 are connected to spring-loaded conductors 31, and32, respectively.

Bracket 33, which may for example, be constructed of bronze, issupported by housing 26 and is fastened between housings 26 and 27. Lip34 of bracket 33 extends downwardly at the rear of housing 26 tocontinue the rear surfaces 35 of housing 26. Insulator film 36 is bondedto one surface of bracket 33, and conductor strips 37 and 38 may beencapsulated in another insulator strip 39 in such a manner thatcontacts 40 and 41 protrude outwardly from the film. Preferably bracket33 and lip 34 have a thickness of about 0.020 inch, conductors 37 and 38have a thickness of about 0.011 inch, and films 36 and 39 each have athickness of about 0.003 inch. Hence, the total thickness of thedepending portion of appliance 25 is about 0.037 inch.

To connect an appliance, such as the outlet illustrated in FIGS. 4through 8 to tape 10, tab insert 19 is removed from the positionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and lip 34 of connector 25, together withthe insulator and conductors attached thereto is inserted into theregion left by the removed tab.- Body 26 of the electrical connector ispushed downwardly until the upper portion of tape contacts the uppermostportion of the inside of the lip. When in this position, contacts 40 and41 of the appliance are positioned to make electrical con tact withconductor strips 14 and 15, respectively, of tape 10. Thereafter,electrical equipment may be attached to connector 25 by means of anordinary wall plug to deliver electrical power to such equipment. Sincethe thickness of the depending contact portion of connector 25 is aboutthree times thicker than the space left by the removal of tab 19, thecontact portion is wedged between conductors l4 and and insulator strip11 to assure proper electrical contact.

It is to be understood that appliance may be other suitable types ofelectrical devices which are ordinarily permanently attached into anelectrical power system of a structure. For example, and as shown inFIG. 9, attachment 26 may be a suitable switch 50 attached to tape 10awith the same type of contacts as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Switch50 is capable of making and breaking electrical connection from a powersource 51 to an electrical device 52. A tee splice 53 may be insertedbetween tapes 10, 10a and 10b to make connection between 54 and 55 whichconnected to conductors l5 and 15' oftapel0,10'.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withconductor strips being attached to a wall surface, it is to beunderstood that tape 10 may be attached to other objects, such as desks,chairs and tables. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theconductor strips in accordance with the present invention may beutilized for carrying electrical communications or signals and the useof the conductor strips is not limited to conduction of electrical poweror to two conductor tapes as described herein. Furthermore, the steelstrip 17 may be connected to electrical ground and serve as a sourceofground ifdesired.

The small thickness (about 0.008 inches) of the conductorbearing tape inaccordance with the present invention makes the tape particularlyinconspicuous when used on a wall surface or other device. Hence, a tapeaccording to this invention may be used on a wall surface which maylater be painted to hide the tape or render it inconspicuous.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments shown in thedrawings and described in the description, which are given by way ofexample and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. An elongated electrical conductor comprising a first elongatedinsulator layer; adhesive means on one surface of said first insulatorlayer for adhering said first insulator layer to a surface; elongatedelectrical conductor means on a surface of said first insulator layeropposite said one surface: a second elongated insulator layeroverlapping said conductor means; and an elongated metallic layerattached to said second insulator layer opposite said conductor means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including removable spacermeans between said conductor means and said firstinsulator layer anddisposed at intervals along the length of said conductor for separatingsaid conductor means from said first insulator layer, said secondinsulator layer disposed along substantially the entire length of saidconductor except in the vicinity of said spacer means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including third insulatormeans overlapping said metallic layer and attached to said secondinsulator layer.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metallic layer has athickness of about 0.002 inch.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said conductor means comprisesa plurality of electrical conductor strips each having a thickness ofabout 0.001 inch, and said first and second insulator layers each have athickness of about 0.002 inch.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said spacer means isconstructed of electrically insulative material and has thickness ofabout 0.012 inch.

7. An elongated electrical conductor comprising a first elongatedinsulator layer; adhesive means on one surface of said first insulatorlayer for adhering said first insulator layer to a surface; a pluralityof elongated electrical conductor strips on a surface of said firstinsulator layer opposite said one surface; a second elongated insulatorlayer overlapping said conductor strips; an elongated metallic layerattached to said second insulator layer opposite said conductor strips;removable spacer means, constructed of electrically insulative material,between said conductor strips and said first insulator layer anddisposed at intervals along the length of said conductor for separatingsaid conductor strips from said first insulator means, said secondinsulator means along substantially the entire length of said conductorexcept in the vicinity of said spacer means; an electrical deviceconnected to said conductor, said device having a housing, contact meanssupported by said housing having a lip sandwiched between said conductorstrips and said first insulator layer, second conductor means supportedby said lip extending into said housing, said second conductor meansbeing so disposed and arranged relative to said plurality of conductorstrips as to selectively make electrical contact with selected strips;and circuit means in said housing connected to said second conductormeans.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lip has a thickness ofabout 0.037 inches, whereby said lip is wedged between said conductorstrips and said first insulator layer thereby attaching said device tosaid conductor.

9. An elongated electrical conductor comprising a first elongatedinsulator layer; adhesive means on one surface of said first insulatorlayer for adhering said first insulator layer to a surface; elongatedelectrical conductor means on a surface of said first insulator layeropposite said one surface; a second elongated insulator layeroverlapping said conductor means; an elongated metallic layer attachedto said second insulator layer opposite said conductor means; anelectrical device connected to said conductor, said device having ahousing, contact means supported by said housing having a lip sandwichedbetween the first-named conductor means and said first insulator layer;second conductor means supported by said lip extending into saidhousing, said second conductor means being so disposed and arrangedrelative to said first conductor means as to selectively make electricalcontact with said first conductor means; and circuit means in saidhousing connected to said second conductor means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lip has a thickness ofabout three times the spacing between said first conductor means andsaid first insulator layer whereby said lip is wedged between said firstinsulator layer and said first conductor means thereby attaching saiddevice to said conductor.

1 1. An electrical device adapted to be connected to an electricalconductor having a plurality of conductor strips supported by aninsulator strip, said device having a housing; contact means supportedby said housing having a substantially flat lip adapted to be sandwichedbetween said conductor strips and said insulator strip; a plurality ofconductor means supported by said lip, said conductor means being in aplane substantially parallel to said lip and so disposed and arrangedrelative to said conductor strips as to selectively make electricalcontact with selected conductor strips when said lip is sandwichedbetween said conductor strips and said insulator strip; and circuitmeans in said housing connected to said conductor means.

12. An electrical conductor and fitting means comprising:

a first elongated insulator layer having adhesive means on one surfacethereof for adherring said first insulator layer to a surface;

a plurality of elongated electrical surface of said first insulatorface;

a second elongated insulator layer overlapping said conductor strips;

an elongated metallic layer in juxtaposition with said second insulatorlayer opposite said conductor strips;

conductor strips on the layer opposite said one sura housing;

electrical contact means supported by said housing having asubstantially fiat lip adapted to be sandwiched between said conductorstrips and said first insulator layer;

a plurality of conductor means supported by said lip, said conductormeans being in a plane substantially parallel to said lip and sodisposed and arranged as to selectively make electrical contact withselected conductor strips when said lip is sandwiched between saidconductor strip and said first insulator layer; and

circuit means in said housing connected to said conductor means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said lip has a thicknessabout three times the spacing between said conductor strips and saidfirst insulator layer whereby said lip may be wedged between said firstinsulator layer and said conductor strips.

* I l l i

1. An elongated electrical conductor comprising a first elongatedinsulator layer; adhesive means on one surface of said first insulatorlayer for adhering said first insulator layer to a surface; elongatedelectrical conductor means on a surface of said first insulator layeropposite said one surface: a second elongated insulator layeroverlapping said conductor means; and an elongated metallic layerattached to said second insulator layer opposite said conductor means.2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including removable spacermeans between said conductor means and said first insulator layer anddisposed at intervals along the length of said conductor for separatingsaid conductor means from said first insulator layer, said secondinsulator layer disposed along substantially the entire length of saidconductor except in the vicinity of said spacer means.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 2 further including third insulator means overlappingsaid metallic layer and attached to said second insulator layer. 4.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said metallic layer has athickness of about 0.002 inch.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 whereinsaid conductor means comprises a plurality of electrical conductorstrips each having a thickness of about 0.001 inch, and said first andsecond insulator layers each have a thickness of about 0.002 inch. 6.Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said spacer means is constructedof electrically insulative material and has thickness of about 0.012inch.
 7. An elongated electrical conductor comprising a first elongatedinsulator layer; adhesive means on one surface of said first insulatorlayer for adhering said first insulator layer to a surface; a pluralityof elongated electrical conductor strips on a surface of said firstinsulator layer opposite said one surface; a second elongated insulatorlayer overlapping said conductor strips; an elongated metallic layerattached to said second insulator layer opposite said conductor strips;removable spacer means, constructed of electrically insulative material,between said conductor strips and said first insulator layer anddisposed at intervals along the length of said conductor for separatIngsaid conductor strips from said first insulator means, said secondinsulator means along substantially the entire length of said conductorexcept in the vicinity of said spacer means; an electrical deviceconnected to said conductor, said device having a housing, contact meanssupported by said housing having a lip sandwiched between said conductorstrips and said first insulator layer, second conductor means supportedby said lip extending into said housing, said second conductor meansbeing so disposed and arranged relative to said plurality of conductorstrips as to selectively make electrical contact with selected strips;and circuit means in said housing connected to said second conductormeans.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lip has athickness of about 0.037 inches, whereby said lip is wedged between saidconductor strips and said first insulator layer thereby attaching saiddevice to said conductor.
 9. An elongated electrical conductorcomprising a first elongated insulator layer; adhesive means on onesurface of said first insulator layer for adhering said first insulatorlayer to a surface; elongated electrical conductor means on a surface ofsaid first insulator layer opposite said one surface; a second elongatedinsulator layer overlapping said conductor means; an elongated metalliclayer attached to said second insulator layer opposite said conductormeans; an electrical device connected to said conductor, said devicehaving a housing, contact means supported by said housing having a lipsandwiched between the first-named conductor means and said firstinsulator layer; second conductor means supported by said lip extendinginto said housing, said second conductor means being so disposed andarranged relative to said first conductor means as to selectively makeelectrical contact with said first conductor means; and circuit means insaid housing connected to said second conductor means.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said lip has a thickness of about threetimes the spacing between said first conductor means and said firstinsulator layer whereby said lip is wedged between said first insulatorlayer and said first conductor means thereby attaching said device tosaid conductor.
 11. An electrical device adapted to be connected to anelectrical conductor having a plurality of conductor strips supported byan insulator strip, said device having a housing; contact meanssupported by said housing having a substantially flat lip adapted to besandwiched between said conductor strips and said insulator strip; aplurality of conductor means supported by said lip, said conductor meansbeing in a plane substantially parallel to said lip and so disposed andarranged relative to said conductor strips as to selectively makeelectrical contact with selected conductor strips when said lip issandwiched between said conductor strips and said insulator strip; andcircuit means in said housing connected to said conductor means.
 12. Anelectrical conductor and fitting means comprising: a first elongatedinsulator layer having adhesive means on one surface thereof foradherring said first insulator layer to a surface; a plurality ofelongated electrical conductor strips on the surface of said firstinsulator layer opposite said one surface; a second elongated insulatorlayer overlapping said conductor strips; an elongated metallic layer injuxtaposition with said second insulator layer opposite said conductorstrips; a housing; electrical contact means supported by said housinghaving a substantially flat lip adapted to be sandwiched between saidconductor strips and said first insulator layer; a plurality ofconductor means supported by said lip, said conductor means being in aplane substantially parallel to said lip and so disposed and arranged asto selectively make electrical contact with selected conductor stripswhen said lip is sandwiched between said conductor strip and said firstinsulator layer; and circuit means in said housing connected to saidconductor means.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said liphas a thickness about three times the spacing between said conductorstrips and said first insulator layer whereby said lip may be wedgedbetween said first insulator layer and said conductor strips.